Daily Readings - Sun Sep 10 2023

⁷So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.⁸When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.⁹Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Romans

Chapter 13

⁸Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.⁹For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.¹⁰Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Matthew

Chapter 18

¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.¹⁸Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.¹⁹Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live as responsible members of God’s family, bound together by love and accountability. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we hear the prophet’s commission as a watchman for the house of Israel. Ezekiel is reminded that his role is not only to proclaim God’s word but also to ensure that those who hear it are given the opportunity to turn away from sin. The prophet’s responsibility is not just to speak, but to speak in such a way that others might be saved. This passage underscores the gravity of our shared responsibility for one another’s spiritual well-being. The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to the heart of the law: love. Paul reminds us that love for our neighbor is the fulfillment of the entire law. He lists several commandments—against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—but emphasizes that these are all summed up in the simple yet profound command to love one another. Love, Paul says, does no harm to others, and it is the very essence of living according to God’s will. This reading invites us to examine how we love those around us and whether our actions reflect the selfless love that God calls us to. In the Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus’ teaching on how to handle conflict and sin within the community. Jesus outlines a step-by-step process for addressing wrongdoing: first, speak privately to the person; if that doesn’t work, involve one or two others; and if there is still no resolution, bring the matter to the Church. This process is not about condemnation but about restoration and reconciliation. Jesus also reminds us of the power of prayer and agreement in community, assuring us that when two or three gather in his name, he is present among them. This passage challenges us to approach conflict with patience, humility, and a desire to heal rather than to punish. These readings are deeply connected. Ezekiel’s call to speak the truth in love, Paul’s emphasis on love as the heart of the law, and Jesus’ teaching on reconciliation all point to the same reality: our faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one. We are called to care for one another, to speak the truth in love, and to work toward healing and unity. In our daily lives, this means being willing to have difficult conversations, to forgive, and to seek forgiveness. It also means recognizing that our actions have consequences not just for ourselves, but for those around us. May we strive to live in such a way that we reflect God’s love and mercy, both in our words and in our actions.